New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles allegedly disciplined linebacker Darron Lee and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.Lee, the team's second-leading tackler, was a surprise inactive due to a coach's decision, and Wilkerson was benched for the first series of the game, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports.Both matters are expected to be addressed after the game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A group of 25 former New York Giants plan to show their support for recently benched quarterback Eli Manning by wearing his jersey on the sidelines during next week's game against the Dallas Cowboys, reported Jay Glazer of FOX Sports on "FOX NFL Sunday"Next week's game will be held at the Giants' home of MetLife Stadium.

The winless Cleveland Browns are going all in on Josh Gordon's return.Browns head coach Hue Jackson has a package of plays set up for the recently reinstated receiver, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing a text from a source. Jackson has even gone so far as to limit the designed plays of other receivers on the team.Gordon will start Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in his first regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014. He was banned for the entire 2015 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.It appears the Browns will be relying heavily on a player who hasn't suited up for a game in almost two calendar years. In the team's defense, running back Duke Johnson is their leader in receptions (50) and receiving yards (446). Next on the list is second-year pro Ricardo Louis, who has hauled in 26 passes for 322 yards and no touchdowns.Cleveland's passing offense ranks 25th in the league going into Week 13.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to stick with the status quo at quarterback for the rest of the season.The plan is for Alex Smith to stay under center for the remainder of the campaign, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."My understanding is that it is not off the table that we will see (rookie backup) Patrick Mahomes later this season at some point. However, the Chiefs' plan as it stands right now is to have Patrick Mahomes take a redshirt season. They plan to have Alex Smith their quarterback for the rest of the year," Rapoport said Sunday on "NFL GameDay Morning.""Also, it's important to remember that Patrick Mahomes is still learning. He is still running the scout team in practice. (He) hasn't run the Chiefs' plays full speed since Week 4 of the preseason. He still has a little ways to go before he's ready. But he is insanely talented. They love him. If the offense continues to falter, we could see him."Smith began the year as an MVP candidate as he steered the Chiefs to a 5-0 start, but they've lost five of their last six games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Can the team with the NFL’s best record keep it going on a long road trip for the Week 13 Sunday night game? Covers checks in on the action for that key NFC clash and a few other matchups, with insights from Scott Shelton, sportsbook supervisor for The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip; Will Bernanke, lead analyst for CG Analytics in Las Vegas; and Mike Jerome, lines manager for offshore sportsbook TopBet.eu.

With the Kansas City Chiefs mired in a slump that's put their playoff chances in jeopardy, head coach Andy Reid has elected to give up playcalling duties Sunday against the New York Jets, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen, citing team sources.Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy will handle the offensive gameplan for the 6-5 Chiefs.Kansas City has lost five of its last six games and is clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC West.Reid has said all players and coaches share the blame for the Chiefs' woes. Rather than consider benching quarterback Alex Smith, Reid is hoping a new voice will help spark the team's offense.The Chiefs have been held to 17, nine, and 10 points in their last three games, all losses.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Embattled New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo could be fired within the 24 hours after Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter report, citing league sources.In just McAdoo's second year on the job, the Giants have slumped to a 2-9 record after an 11-5 finish in his first campaign. A dismissal would mark some dubious history, as New York has never fired a head coach in season.General manager Jerry Reese is also reportedly on shaky ground.The drama has underlined owner John Mara's belief that McAdoo has poor communication skills, Mortensen and Schefter add.Less than a month ago, co-owners Mara and Steve Tisch released a statement asserting McAdoo continued to have the support of management.The Giants have come under the national microscope after franchise quarterback Eli Manning was told he would be replaced by backups Geno Smith and Davis Webb in the final five weeks of the season. Instead of being benched midgame, Manning elected to cede his starts to Smith and Webb.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fourth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 13.Standard

The Arizona Cardinals are "pessimistic" about Adrian Peterson's chances of playing Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams due to a neck injury, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Peterson is reportedly expected to be a game-time decision.If the former NFL MVP is unable to play, Kerwynn Williams will likely get the starting nod.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darrelle Revis' debut with the Kansas City Chiefs will come against one of his former employers.Revis, who signed with the Chiefs nearly two weeks ago, will suit up for the first time this season in Sunday's game against the New York Jets, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The 10-year veteran had two stints with the Jets, totaling eight campaigns.Revis was released by New York after a terrible 2016 season and spent nearly 10 months out of football before the Chiefs came calling.The Jets cut Revis just two years into a five-year, $70-million contract. His deal with the Chiefs is for two years and $11 million.In a strange twist, Revis will actually be paid more by the Jets to play against the Jets on Sunday.

The Packers are hoping to have Aaron Rodgers back under center for Week 15, though Green Bay will need to still be in playoff contention and the star quarterback will need to be medically cleared, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Rodgers reportedly practiced Saturday for the first time since breaking his collarbone on Oct. 15 and was designated as one of the Packers' two players to return from injured reserve. Week 15 is the earliest Rodgers is eligible to return under IR rules.The Brett Hundley-led Packers have struggled in Rodgers' absence, losing four of the five games he's missed. At 5-6, Green Bay will need to win its next two games (versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, at the Cleveland Browns) to stay in contention for a wild-card spot in a highly competitive NFC.Rodgers was playing at his usual All-Pro level before the injury, throwing for 1,385 yards and 13 touchdowns in six games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been one heck of a football season in the City of Brotherly Love, where the Philadelphia Eagles are the talk of the town after blitzing to an NFL-best 10-1 start, all but guaranteeing themselves a playoff berth.Celebrate the Eagles' return to relevance by testing your knowledge about this historic franchise.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers star tight end Greg Olsen isn't expected to play against the New Orleans Saints as he deals with soreness in his foot, but the injury isn't thought to be a long-term issue, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Olsen sat out eight weeks on injured reserve, from Week 3 until Week 11, and made his return Sunday against the New York Jets. However, Olsen made just one catch before being forced to the sidelines.Rapoport added the Panthers are simply being cautious with their top pass-catcher, who has three straight 1,000-yard seasons and is Cam Newton's go-to target.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen is not expected to play in Sunday's NFC South showdown against the New Orleans Saints due to soreness in his foot, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Olsen returned from injured reserve last week against the New York Jets and was forced to leave the game after aggravating his foot, which he broke in Week 2.The veteran tight end did not suffer structural damage and is not expected to miss extended time. Olsen has been active for just three games this season, making four catches for 38 yards.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We've entered the final month of the season and the league's playoff picture is quickly beginning to materialize with a host of teams battling for 12 spots.Some of the league's juggernauts have pretty much clinched their playoff berth, with the Patriots, Eagles, Steelers, and Vikings running away from their divisional foes as December kicks off in earnest.Below are five players that will have the largest impact on the final month of the season:Alvin Kamara (Photo courtesy: Action Images)Kamara has been one of the season's great revelations as the Saints rookie leads all players with a startling 7.1 yards per carry. The 22-year-old is rapidly becoming one of the NFL's most potent multi-purpose weapons, torching teams both as a runner and receiver, while the Saints march down their opponents' throats with a revitalized attack. Kamara has taken on a larger role as the season progresses and is the main reason the Saints are once again considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders, with his burst and field vision leaving defenders clueless. He'll be the player to watch with the NFC South up for grabs.Aaron Donald (Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Rams' offense rightfully deserves due credit for their drastic turnaround, with Jared Goff and Todd Gurley engineering one of the league's most potent units. It's Donald that has once again starred as the NFL's best defensive tackle - and perhaps, its best defensive player - as the Rams hold opponents to 18.7 points per game. Donald is the rare defensive tackle that is the focal point of their team's pass-rush, and he's arguably the league's best run defender as well, cleaning up most of the Rams' mistakes made in the front seven. Los Angeles is experiencing a renaissance and will need Donald to remain in all-world form if it is to hold off Seattle in the NFC West.Calais Campbell (Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Campbell has been worth every penny for the Jaguars after inking a four-year, $60-million contract in March. The 31-year-old will be in the running against Donald and Seattle's Bobby Wagner for Defensive Player of the Year and has spurred "Sacksonville" to a league-best scoring defense of 15.3 points allowed per game. It's unfair for someone Campbell's size to move as well as he does and he's undergoing the best season of his career, with 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 11 games. Campbell will be asked to continue his All-Pro campaign if the Jaguars are to comfortably fend off the Titans, who boast an identical 7-4 record.Kareem Hunt (Photo courtesy: Action Images)Hunt started the year on fire and many surmised whether he'd become the second consecutive rookie to win the NFL's rushing title, following in Ezekiel Elliott's footsteps. Although Hunt remains in the race, the hype has considerably died down and he hasn't gone over 100 yards rushing since an Oct. 8 win over the Texans. Hunt's rookie struggles mirror the Chiefs' decline as the club has dropped five of its last six games, allowing the Raiders and Chargers back into the playoff race. If the Chiefs are to stave off their contenders and refuse to orchestrate their own demise, Hunt will be counted upon to produce like a top lead back as he did throughout the fall.Marcus Mariota (Photo courtesy: Action Images)Mariota hasn't been close to his best this season. In fact, it could be argued strongly that it's the worst season of Mariota's pro career, completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,273 yards, nine touchdowns, and 12 interceptions as the Titans somehow hold a share of the AFC South lead at 7-4. Not all is lost for Mariota, however, as the Titans have a manageable five games remaining with contests against the Rams and Jaguars in Week 16 and 17 standing out as highlights. If Mariota plays his best football of the year, the Titans could overtake the Jaguars in a spirited fight for the AFC South. Mariota is long overdue for a stellar performance and now is the right time to get hot.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress became the latest player to come to Eli Manning's defense after it was announced the veteran quarterback would be benched for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders.Manning's 210-game consecutive start streak will be snapped as a result and numerous former players and coaches weighed in to defend the Giants legend.Burress echoed that displeasure on Saturday.

The New Orleans Saints placed tight end Coby Fleener on injured reserve Saturday, according to Nick Underhill of The Advocate.Fleener suffered a concussion during a Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after colliding with safety Blake Countess.Countess was fined $24,309 for the play, in which the NFL ruled it as a hit on a defenseless receiver.Fleener caught 22 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer has missed his team's last four games due to a broken arm but he believes he could be back for the end of the season.Palmer was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 26 after suffering the injury during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and is eligible to return in Week 16 against the New York Giants. The veteran quarterback can begin practicing Thursday."I feel pretty good," Palmer said via ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "We've got another three weeks before I think I can practice, but I feel great. I'm in the middle of all the rehab stuff and I feel like I'm getting my strength back, but I feel great."Palmer said he's prepared for any outcome and won't be deterred even if the Cardinals fall out of the playoff picture."I'm going to be prepared,” Palmer said. "I'm not sure how everything's going to shake out. I'm just doing what I can to get ready and be ready when I can."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles look downright powerful and are the clear favorite to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl.However, the conference is stocked with talented teams, all capable of taking down the juggernaut on their best day.Here's how each NFC contender stacks up against Philadelphia:Los Angeles RamsIf your game plan is to try and run it down the Eagles' throat, think again. Philadelphia owns the top-ranked run defense, allowing 65.1 yards per game. The pass defense, however, is nowhere near as strong, allowing a 17th-ranked 226.5 yards per contest.Unfortunately for the Eagles, nearly all NFC contenders boast an impressive passing game, starting with the Rams and Sean McVay.Jared Goff showed what he's capable of when playing an elite team in Week 12, tearing the New Orleans Saints apart for 354 yards and two touchdowns.But, Goff is still just a cog in McVay's near-perfect machine. The head coach's creative play-calling and the game-breaking ability of Todd Gurley and Robert Woods means the Rams are one of the few teams capable of taking down Philadelphia in a shootout.It might not come to that if Wade Phillips and his resurgent defense have anything to do with it. Phillips' unit stonewalled the Saints for most of their Week 12 matchup; only a 74-yard touchdown run from Alvin Kamara stained the Rams' tremendous performance.Like the Saints, the Eagles rely on a strong running game to open up big plays through the air, so the Rams may have found a blueprint for stopping them.Minnesota VikingsHow in the world do you stop Adam Thielen? That's the question facing the Vikings' opponents, and one few thought would need to be asked prior to Thielen's spectacular 2017.Again, Minnesota's best hope of beating Philadelphia is with their surprisingly strong passing game, led by Thielen and Case Keenum.Keenum has displayed ridiculous accuracy over the past three weeks, completing 70 percent or more of his passes in each game. The quarterback has done so while remaining aggressive, taking downfield shots - a must against the high-scoring, efficient Eagles offense.But, the Vikings are still first and foremost a defensive team. Only the Eagles allow fewer rushing yards, meaning Minnesota will force the game onto Carson Wentz. That doesn't sound like the best plan considering his MVP-type play, but the Vikings have players on every level to make his life hell.Everson Griffen can take advantage of Jason Peters' absence, Xavier Rhodes can shut down Alshon Jeffery, and Anthony Barr's strong coverage skills could negate Zach Ertz's dominant work over the middle.Seattle SeahawksA fully-healthy Seahawks squad would likely have been the biggest threat to the Eagles, but the football Gods had other plans, robbing Seattle of Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor.The defense isn't exactly left starless, though, as Bobby Wagner and Earl Thomas are capable of taking over games by themselves. Wagner, in particular, is key to stopping the Eagles' passing game due to his elite ability in coverage.The Eagles' top-tier rushing defense suits the Seahawks just fine. Seattle has been awful on the ground. They've averaged a 19th-ranked 102.9 yards per game, but Russell Wilson is responsible for over 36 yards of that. Taking away his production would make Seattle by far the league's worst rushing unit.The Seahawks know they need to air it out to win, and that forced game plan might actually be the best way to attack the Eagles.Additionally, Wilson's scrambling skills could be the perfect counter to the Eagles' strong but aggressive defensive front. Philadelphia allowed 71 rushing yards to Cam Newton in a close Week 6 loss, and Wilson is capable of inflicting just as much damage on the ground.New Orleans SaintsThe Saints have morphed into a run-first team over the course of the season, riding Mark Ingram and breakout rookie Kamara to eight wins in their last nine games.But, of course, any team with Drew Brees under center is capable of lighting it up through the air. Still, despite the Eagles' strong run defense, the Saints' best chance is to rely on their two-headed monster in the backfield.Kamara is a threat to make a game-breaking play on every touch with his agility and talent after the catch. Mychal Kendricks is the Eagles' best coverage linebacker, but beyond him, the unit will have trouble consistently containing Kamara.Controlling the clock with Ingram and Kamara is the best way for the Saints to limit Philadelphia's offense. New Orleans looks rejuvenated on defense, but injuries to cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley highlighted how fragile its improvement has been.Beyond that, the Saints have to hope their run-first approach has given Brees the rest he needs for the Hall of Famer to work his magic in the playoffs.Atlanta FalconsThe Falcons have fought their way back into contention with three straight wins, and the offense looks close to its dominant 2016 form.Like the Eagles, Atlanta's main strength on offense is its versatility and depth of weapons, as well as the experience and composure of Matt Ryan.Ryan has the fewest turnover-worthy throws, according to Pro Football Focus, but is struggling to make the downfield plays that drove Atlanta's run to last year's Super Bowl. This will need to change in order to challenge Philadelphia, and it appears things are trending upward for the Falcons in this department after Julio Jones averaged over 21 yards per catch in a 253-yard performance in Week 12.On the other side of the ball, the Falcons match up well with the Eagles. Atlanta's zone scheme and speed on defense should allow them to limit big plays and force Wentz to be consistently accurate - the one thing he's struggled with this year.Carolina PanthersCarolina is an entirely different monster on defense with Luke Kuechly in the lineup, and, without their captain in Week 6, the Panthers still gave Wentz one of his tougher nights.The Panthers and Newton will still need to go point for point with the Eagles to stand a chance, and that means Newton will have to protect the football. The quarterback threw three interceptions in Week 6, but he kept Carolina in it by rushing for 71 yards and a score.Newton has swung from great to abysmal almost every week this campaign. It's simple and obvious, but little else matters in this matchup unless the 2015 MVP is locked in.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers practiced Saturday for the first time since breaking his collarbone Oct. 15, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The Green Bay Packers' star quarterback has also been designated as one of the team's two players who can return from injured reserve this season, Rapoport added.Rodgers is first eligible to play in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers.Last weekend, the 34-year-old was seen throwing bombs just six weeks after undergoing surgery on his collarbone, renewing hope that he'll be ready for a late-season return.The 5-6 Packers likely need to win their next two games for Rodgers to have a chance at sparking a playoff run, beginning Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL players are now 0-2 on "Drop the Mic."The latest episode of TBS' celebrity rap battle series pitted Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett against actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens. Bennett faired better than Rob Gronkowski did last month, but his rhymes were no match for Hudgens'.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping Antonio Brown will be able to play through a toe injury Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but are preparing just in case the star wide receiver is forced to the sideline, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.Brown sat out Friday's practice due to the injury, but isn't expected to miss any time, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.If Brown is unable to go, Justin Hunter and Darrius Heyward-Bey would likely be handed expanded roles next to Martavis Bryant and JuJu Smith-Schuster.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed wide receiver Alshon Jeffery to a four-year contract extension through the 2021 season, the team announced Saturday.The Eagles didn't release the terms of the deal, but a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Jeffery will earn $52 million over four years, with another $1 million per year in incentives. Jeffery's new extension also contains $27 million in guarantees, Schefter added.Jeffery initially signed a one-year "prove it" deal with Philadelphia in the offseason.The pass-catcher is on pace for a 900-yard, 10-touchdown campaign, and has quickly developed a connection with MVP candidate Carson Wentz.Jeffery's $13-million average salary would tie him for seventh at the position with T.Y. Hilton.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As we enter the final month of the regular season, several teams have left the playoff race and are counting the weeks until "Black Monday," when they'll have a chance to clean out their front-office and coaching staffs.Not all teams finishing the year with lowly records are expected to make major changes, but here are five trending toward hiring a new head coach, general manager, or both:GiantsBen McAdoo and Jerry Reese must be well aware that this will be their last season with the Giants. The reckless optimism of benching Eli Manning for Geno Smith seems to signal they're trying to do anything to hold onto their positions without any thought of future repercussions.Besides their offensive line and running game, the Giants still have a decent roster, so a total rebuild isn't necessary. That means they should be able to attract top candidates, as they're still considered one of the league's premier organizations.Whoever's hired will have to decide Manning's fate in New York.BroncosJohn Elway signed a very rich contract before the season that essentially made him unfireable despite his recent track record in the draft and free agency.Vance Joseph, on the other hand, won't be able to use his recent contract signing as a reason to keep his job. The Broncos rushed into his hiring after Gary Kubiak's retirement, and, in the process, lost defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.The core of the roster is aging and a new franchise quarterback is needed. Elway has always wanted to run an offensive-driven team, but has had to settle for being a defensive powerhouse since Peyton Manning's decline. Look for offensive coaches like Eagles coordinator Frank Reich to be considered.BrownsThe "Moneyball" approach hasn't been working. The root of the Browns' issues may actually lie with owner Jimmy Haslam and his overinvolvement, but until he decides to let the football operations staff do its job, changes will keep being made.With one win through their last 27 games, head coach Hue Jackson, executive vice president Sashi Brown, and chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta have simply not done their jobs. Other than adding Myles Garrett, the team is only marginally better - if not worse - than the one they took over.It will be tough for the Browns to attract coveted head coach and GM candidates, as they've been terrible over the last two years. Taking a risk on a hidden-gem college coach like Stanford's David Shaw may give the team an edge in scouting prospects.BuccaneersThe logic behind getting rid of Lovie Smith for fear of losing Dirk Koetter to another team was likely the same logic used to draft kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round.Koetter has looked to be in over his head for the last two seasons running the team and won't be missed by many, while GM Jason Licht has made several questionable draft picks and signings since 2014 as the team has failed to live up to the high expectations he publicly set for it.Jon Gruden's name keeps coming up in college coaching searches and will more than likely be tossed around the Buccaneers organization. If they want to follow their own trend, defensive coordinator Mike Smith has head coaching experience and has been rumored as a possible candidate.Other teams facing major offseason changes: Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

U2 frontman Bono lauded Tom Brady's leadership on and off the field during an appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Friday.Brady has well-known ties with the nonprofit Best Buddies International, but, according to Bono, the New England Patriots quarterback has also done some behind-the-scenes humanitarian work."He's obviously a great leader on the field, but I can tell you, off the field, he's also a great leader," Bono said. "In 2005, he became the millionth member of the ONE Campaign to fight extreme poverty. It's an organization that I co-founded, and he traveled to Ghana and Uganda, kept it low-key. He did stuff behind the scenes, and that's sort of the measure of a different kind of man than maybe the one you know."Bono also spoke about U2's memorable halftime performance at Super Bowl XXXVI, which saw the Patriots defeat the St. Louis Rams 20-17.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers have placed running back Ty Montgomery on injured reserve with injuries to his ribs and wrist, effectively ending his season, the club announced Friday.Montgomery had missed the previous two games with the injuries, as well as a Week 5 win over the Dallas Cowboys due a rib issue. The third-year pro, who converted from receiver to full-time running back in the offseason, had amassed 273 rushing yards, 173 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns over eight games this season.Rookies Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are expected to carry the load at running back in Montgomery's absence.In a corresponding move, the Packers signed wide receiver Michael Clark off the practice squad, though they've been rumored to bring Aaron Rodgers back from IR soon, as he is eligible to practice as of Friday and was seen throwing passes last week.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders star wide receiver Amari Cooper has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the New York Giants due to a concussion and a sprained ankle sustained in Week 12, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.Oakland will also be without their other top pass-catching option, as Michael Crabtree will serve a one-game suspension for a fight with Aqib Talib.The 5-6 Raiders will be looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson will likely get the starting nods, with Johnny Holton also in line for an expanded role.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a season in which the gap between below-average and elite quarterback play has widened, Kirk Cousins sent out a reminder Thursday that he's very deserving of the $100-plus-million contract that's likely coming his way this offseason.In a losing cause, Cousins completed 70 percent of his passes, going 26-for-37 for 251 yards and two touchdowns, as the Washington Redskins were beat handily, 38-14 by the Dallas Cowboys.Cousins also threw two interceptions, but the first went off the hands of receiver Jamison Crowder and the second was tipped by a Cowboys defensive lineman.While being battered and bruised by the Cowboys' pass rush, Cousins was resolute. And with a depleted roster (tight end Jordan Reed has missed the last five games, while Terrelle Pryor, Chris Thompson, and Rob Kelley are on IR), Cousins did all he could to keep the Redskins in the game.In fact, he's done so all season. Though the 5-7 Redskins are having a tough season, Cousins may be having his best. After 12 games, he owns a 99.6 passer rating and entered Thursday with a Total QBR of 60.8. which ranked eighth-best in the league. That figure has him above MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the highest-paid player in NFL history, Matthew Stafford.Stafford signed a record five-year, $135-million extension in the offseason while Cousins was slapped with the Redskins' franchise tag for the second consecutive season.Thursday night's game was a reminder that Cousins is all but guaranteed at least a $100-million contract of his own, whether it comes from the Redskins or another team via free agency. The demand for a quarterback of Cousins' caliber is too great.This season, six teams have benched their starting quarterbacks at some point, while nine others have had to play significant chunks - if not the entire season - without their top pivots due to injury.That's nearly half the league in search of competent quarterback play right in the heart of playoff race season.The Redskins have three seasons of information on Cousins' ability as a starting quarterback, yet they could still opt to end their shotgun marriage after this campaign.If Washington opts to move on, Buffalo, Denver, Cleveland, Arizona, Jacksonville, and the New York Giants could all be in the market for a new quarterback. And armed with the leverage of a $30-plus-million annual salary from a third franchise tag, Cousins could seriously cash in on the open market.A strong crop of college quarterbacks will be available through the draft and will whittle down the potential suitors for Cousins' services, but those looking to win now would be wise to look in the 29-year-old's direction as it appears he's either entering - or currently in - his prime.With an inferior supporting cast, Cousins keeps padding his stats. He's as accurate as ever and just as efficient.Lacking a succession plan, Washington could retain Cousins with the aforementioned franchise tag for a third straight year.Either way, Cousins is getting paid for his underrated play.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson will be a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Bruce Arians said Friday.Peterson is considered questionable with a neck issue that's kept him out of practice all week.Peterson carried the ball 20 times for 79 yards in last week's 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.Fellow rusher Kerwynn Williams is battling a rib injury, leaving much of the Cardinals' backfield in doubt for Sunday's division game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo came under intense criticism for both his decision to bench Eli Manning and his handling of the process.But McAdoo didn't express any remorse Friday about the perceived bungling of what could be the end of a franchise hero's time with the team."I was upfront and honest with Eli and I don't have any regrets," McAdoo said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.Giants co-owner John Mara further muddied the situation Wednesday when he implied there was a miscommunication between ownership and McAdoo regarding how the head coach would approach starting Manning to preserve his streak, an offer the quarterback rejected.Mara said he believed the plan for Manning was to play the first half and likely stay in the game if the Giants looked good on offense and were in contention to win."It was presented the way that Ben thought it ought to be presented," said Mara. "And could we have done it differently? I guess you could argue we could have."McAdoo insisted Friday the team was "on the same page" regarding the plan to start Manning and then replace him at halftime with the combination of Geno Smith and Davis Webb.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers is apparently on the cusp of taking a major step in his rehabilitation.The Green Bay Packers' star quarterback could return to practice Saturday, pending an evaluation of his health Friday, head coach Mike McCarthy announced."He's got a workout today, and we'll obviously evaluate him," McCarthy said Friday. "We're looking tomorrow to potentially practice him in a trial return. ... We'll determine that tomorrow after his work today."Saturday is the first day Rodgers can practice under injured reserve rules.Rodgers isn't eligible to play until Week 15 after being placed on IR with a broken collarbone Oct. 20.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson has been suspended for the next four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances, a league spokesperson announced Friday.He's eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 25, the day after the Panthers play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Johnson, an 11-year vet who's played in all 11 games this season, accepted full responsibility for the suspension."I have been recovering from back surgery, dealing with the daily grind of football, and mistakenly thought this could help," Johnson said in a statement. "It was an error in judgment on my part. We have a special group here I wanted to be a part of and felt an obligation to do my part by getting back as soon as possible."The 8-3 Panthers hold the fifth seed in the NFC as they enter a tough four-game stretch against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, the 9-2 Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers, and the Buccaneers.Johnson has yet to record a sack this season after posting four in 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week during the NFL season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap every matchup and offer up a three-pack of picks.Week 12 record (includes Thanksgiving picks): 9-6-1

SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 13 rankings.StartJared Goff, QB, Ramsat CardinalsGoff has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three of his past four games, totaling nine scores and just one interception during that time. He topped 300 yards on three occasions. The Cardinals' pass defense ranks in the middle of the pack in yards allowed and average yards per attempt, but Goff has attempted at least 37 passes in each of his past three contests, enough to return plenty of fantasy value.Fearless prediction: 320 yards passing, 2 TDsOther QBs to start

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Eric Reid isn't applauding the league for Wednesday's reported commitment of nearly $100 million to social justice programs.Reid says the money is just being redirected from various existing programs."It’s a charade," Reid said, according to Jeremy Stahl of Slate.com. "It’s basically going to be an NFL Cares."Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said Wednesday that he'll cease raising his fist during the national anthem out of appreciation for the reported agreement, but Reid says Jenkins is the only player of 17 involved in this proposal to support the league's pledge."In the discussion that we had, Malcolm conveyed to us - based on discussions that he had with the NFL - that the money would come from funds that are already allocated to breast cancer awareness and Salute to Service," Reid said. "So it would really be no skin off the owners’ backs: They would just move the money from those programs to this one."He added: "We didn’t agree with that, because we weren’t trying to cut other worthy programs."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant entered the record books Thursday evening.Bryant caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins, becoming the franchise's all-time receiving touchdown leader, surpassing Hall of Fame wide receiver Bob Hayes.It was the 72nd touchdown catch of Bryant's career, moving him into a tie for 37th on the NFL's all-time list.Bryant soared over Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland for a spectacular grab, giving the Cowboys a 24-7 lead.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott returned to Thursday's game against the Washington Redskins after briefly leaving during the second quarter to undergo X-rays on his hand.Prescott exited the game after being driven into the turf awkwardly, but returned to the sidelines and begun throwing while waiting for the Cowboys' next offensive series.The Cowboys star returned without further incident.Earlier in the quarter, Prescott put the Cowboys on the board with an 8-yard touchdown strike to Jason Witten.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers have begun the process of trying to reclaim a portion of the $6.3-million signing bonus they gave to tight end Martellus Bennett this past offseason, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky.The team has filed paperwork to collect a portion of that bonus, after they released him earlier this season under the designation of failing to disclose a medical condition.Bennett was signed to a three-year, $21-million contract as a free agent. The Packers are aiming to recover the $4.2 million left on Bennett's bonus as the pro-rated amount over years two and three.Bennett criticized the Packers' medical staff and was ruled inactive for his final game with the team prior to his release. He has since said he received several medical opinions claiming he needed surgery.He almost immediately rejoined the New England Patriots, totaling six catches for 53 yards on six targets through two games. He was placed on injured reserve following his second game with the team.He caught just 24 of 38 targets for 233 yards and no touchdowns through seven games with the Packers.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a January 2016 incident has been dismissed against Johnny Manziel.Manziel's ex-girlfriend alleged he hit her so hard that she temporarily lost hearing in one ear, and threw her onto his bed.The former Heisman Trophy-winner faced a year in jail and a $4,000 fine but reached a deal with the Dallas Country District Attorney's office last year that would see his charge dismissed if he attended rehab and anger management classes.Manziel has been incident-free in 2017 and was mulling a potential comeback prior to the NFL and CFL seasons.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Life on the road is tough, whether you’re a NFL team or a digital content grunt in his late 30’s hitting the highway for business. Hotel beds tucked in too tight. Rooms across from the ice machine. The enviable gut rot from eating restaurant food day in and day out.

Le’Veon Bell’s workload is insane.The Pittsburgh Steelers star has already carried the ball 252 times this season and leads the NFL at 28.5 touches per game. In 2016, after his suspension, Bell ran the ball 261 times in a dozen games, then 65 times in three postseason contests, even though he was injured early in the meeting with the New England Patriots. He caught 79 passes over the regular season and playoffs.At about this time last year, Bell put Pittsburgh’s offense on his back. He ran the ball 220 times during the final six games of the regular season and Pittsburgh’s first two playoff wins, and caught 42 passes. Again excluding the loss to New England, Bell is averaging a ridiculous 30.2 touches per contest over his last 19 games.Bell leads the NFL in rushing. Kareem Hunt is second on that list, just over 100 yards behind Bell. However, Bell has at least 48 more carries than any other runner, and of the league's top seven rushers, Bell has the lowest yards per carry at 3.9. He's never been a real home-run threat, but he's getting his rushing yardage on volume.Bell also has more receptions than any other NFL running back. In fact, only 10 players at any position exceed Bell’s 61 catches, though 72 players have more receiving yardage than Bell after 11 games. Obviously, running backs won't have the same depth per target as wide receivers and tight ends, but five other running backs are ahead of Bell on that list, indicating that Bell's getting his receiving yards on volume as well.He's still a great player, but the big plays haven’t been there for Bell in 2017 the same way they were in the past, and the yardage isn’t coming easy. Though his massive workload hasn’t taken a huge toll, it certainly could be taking a minor one. As he grinds out yardage with fewer explosive plays than we've gotten used to, it's fair to wonder whether he can hold up.But coaches don’t think nearly as much about the long term. They are paid to win football games against great NFL competition. Late in the third quarter of a tight game on the road, Mike Tomlin doesn’t have the luxury of saying, “Hey, let's get Bell out of the game so he is fresher for the playoffs.”The fact is, Bell is better at every facet of the running back position than anyone else on Pittsburgh’s roster. When DeAngelo Williams was around, it was easier to give Bell a series or two off. But Bell is by far the Steelers' best receiver at this position - he's one of the league's elite receiving backs - and he's excellent in pass protection.Of course, he's a top pure runner as well, and that includes situational football like short yardage/goal-line situations. Pittsburgh throws the ball near the goal line a high percentage of the time, which still favors Bell, who leads the league in red-zone touches.If the Steelers were in a late-game situation where they were playing with a big lead, they'd be wise to insert rookie James Conner into the lineup. But Pittsburgh's mostly been involved in close games, giving the team little reason to pull Bell, and Conner's played just 49 snaps. While the rookie's flashed, he's also had trouble staying healthy, and he's questionable in protection at this stage of his career.Bell’s in an interesting long-term situation with the Steelers. He's playing on the franchise tag, which is a ton of money to be paying a running back in today's NFL.Pittsburgh could give him a raise and franchise tag Bell yet again next year. They could let him walk and receive a compensatory pick the following year while opening quite a bit of cap space. Or they could lock Bell up on a long-term deal. That sounded like a priority before the 2017 season began, but obviously it didn't happen.Between injuries and suspensions, Bell's missed a lot of time. He's also endured a historic workload at a position where sustained excellence in the NFL is rare. Under those circumstances, are the Steelers willing to make a serious investment?The Steelers still don't know whether Ben Roethlisberger will return in 2018, or whether that will be his last season. If they're going to make a run with him in 2018, they'll likely feel they need Bell on board. If they're breaking in a new (and presumably young) replacement for the veteran, they may want that new quarterback to be able to lean on Bell too.The huge turnaround in Roethlisberger's play isn't exactly easing the burden on Bell. For much of the first half of the season, Roethlisberger was a shell of his former self, but now he's playing nearly as well as any quarterback in the league.Pittsburgh spreads the field horizontally as much as any passing game in the NFL. At this stage of his career, Roethlisberger is very good at diagnosing mismatches in Pittsburgh’s favor before the snap - and that of course includes the massive threat Bell creates as a receiver.With Roethlisberger's improved performance and an offensive line that's been superb in protection, the Steelers' offense is humming. If Bell breaks down again, it could derail Pittsburgh's quest to knock off New England and capture a seventh Lombardi Trophy - but, in the absence of superior options, the team needs to keep relying on him to get that far.It's a precarious situation, but expect Bell to keep getting the football at an unbelievable and unmatched clip.Matt Williamson is a former scout for the Cleveland Browns and spent 10 years at ESPN as a scout and co-host of "The Football Today Podcast." Find him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eli Manning may haunt Tom Brady forever, but the reigning Super Bowl MVP will always respect his counterpart.Manning, who defeated Brady and the New England Patriots twice in the Super Bowl, was benched in favor of Geno Smith, snapping a 210-game consecutive start streak.Brady became the latest player to voice his support for Manning and didn't seem to agree with the Giants' decision."I have nothing but the most respect for him and everything he’s achieved and accomplished in his career,” Brady said Thursday to Jim Gray of Westwood One. "Obviously, being on the other side of two of those Super Bowl losses to an Eli Manning-led team, I just have so much respect for his dependability, for his consistency, for his toughness. You know, that’s really everything you want in an NFL player and I think Eli has always provided that for the team. So I think it’s a pretty unfortunate situation."Although Brady showed his appreciation for Manning, he also noted that it's not entirely uncommon for veterans to get benched or traded during the latter stages of their careers."I think there’s always these types of situations,” Brady said. "I think as a fan growing up, I mean to see Joe Montana playing in another uniform and again to see Jerry Rice or Ronnie Lott, you know, guys that I really looked up to and admired, there’s not many happy endings in sports, and you know that’s just the way it is. You always wish for everything to go, you know, like a fairy tale but it doesn’t. Michael Jordan played for the Washington Wizards. I mean, who would have ever believed that? And that’s just pro sports."It doesn't seem likely that Manning and the New York Giants will mount a challenge towards Brady and the Patriots ever again, but the 14-year veteran has the eternal respect of arguably the greatest player of all-time.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins plans to stop protesting during the national anthem after the NFL's $89-million commitment over a seven-year period to social projects."I don't anticipate demonstrating this week simply because I felt like when I started demonstrating, my whole motivation was to draw awareness to disenfranchised people, communities of color, injustices around the country, our criminal justice system," Jenkins said Thursday, as transcribed by Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.Jenkins, one of the leaders of the Players Coalition, has raised his fist during the national anthem throughout the season. He began the gesture early in the 2016 campaign.The coalition struck an agreement with NFL owners Wednesday night that will see the league contribute around $89 million to organizations that deal with social issues that primarily affect African-American communities."I know a lot of people have kind of made a big deal about the money that the league has proposed, but I'm more concerned and more interested in the platform they're proposing," Jenkins added, according to Tim McManus of ESPN. "The reason I started raising my fist in the first place is to draw awareness to injustices in this country, disenfranchised people of color. I wanted to draw awareness."Jenkins has ruffled the feathers of some other players in recent days, causing at least three to drop out of the coalition. San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid accused him of undercutting the group.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams will play in Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys, despite harboring a knee injury that will require surgery at the end of the year, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.Williams was previously considered a game-time decision.The five-time Pro Bowl left tackle revealed Monday that he aims to finish the season, even if the Redskins fall out of playoff contention.It was also revealed by Graziano that the Redskins will not wear their "Color Rush" uniforms, which has become standard procedure during Thursday games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eli Manning all but assured himself a place in Canton when he out-dueled Tom Brady for the second time in his career on the NFL's biggest stage in Super Bowl XLVI, improbably beating the New England Patriots once again to earn his second ring.Debates over his Hall-of-Fame worthiness continue to rage on, though, and resurfaced this week when the New York Giants unceremoniously benched their longtime franchise quarterback in the midst of a hugely disappointing season for the team.The decision to sit Manning to get a look at Geno Smith and rookie Davis Webb means the vet has likely played his last game as a Giant. If that becomes reality this offseason, the question will be whether Manning should continue his career elsewhere.Related: What should the Giants do with Eli Manning?And if he doesn't want to tarnish his legacy or risk his first-ballot chances, the answer should be a resounding no.Manning is far from the biggest reason for the Giants' failure to fulfill their Super Bowl aspirations this season, but the QB - who'll turn 37 in January - has been trending downward for nearly two seasons.In 2016, Manning threw 16 interceptions and fumbled four times, and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt - his worst mark since the 2007 season.While his 2017 struggles can be chalked up to losing Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall and playing behind a terrible offensive line, Manning's issues protecting the ball and throwing downfield have continued.Which is why the prospect of him joining the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos, or the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 isn't as likely as some assume. Manning's salary demands will be significant, but the likelihood he'll be able to improve those teams won't be.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)In an offseason where the likes of Alex Smith, the Bills' Tyrod Taylor, and Kirk Cousins could all be available - though for radically different prices - Manning shouldn't be anyone's No.1 option.Consequently, he should be motivated to avoid landing a bad fit and producing a poor two- or three-year stretch to end his career, which could shine a spotlight on the arguments against him being a Hall of Famer.Manning ranks in the top 10 of most career passing stats, but his volume is more a result of his otherworldly ability to avoid injury rather than consistent elite performances.He's posted passer ratings of 85 or lower in six of his 14 seasons and led the NFL in interceptions three times; he's thrown for over 4,000 yards just six times and 30 touchdowns three times; and he's never been named to an All-Pro team, the true benchmark for elite individual play.All of those arguments, rightly or wrongly, don't carry nearly enough weight to counter Manning's two Super Bowl rings and the fact it's impossible to tell the story of the NFL without mentioning his name.But recency bias is real, and Manning should walk off into the sunset as the hero ultimately let down by his team, rather than extend his career elsewhere and risk his lasting image being that of a broken player who fizzled out.And we're sure Peyton would love some company on the couch, Eli.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fourth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition. Follow the links below to see his updated rankings for Week 13.The final rankings will be released Sunday morningStandard

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson confirmed Thursday that wide receiver Josh Gordon will be a starter in his first game since 2014 following multiple suspensions for violating the league's substance-abuse policy."Are you kidding me? Yeah, he's going to start," Jackson replied, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The coach also said Monday that his team has "big plans" for Gordon in Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.Gordon last suited up in 2014 and led the league in receiving the year before. The 0-11 Browns are likely hoping the pass-catcher can rediscover his Pro Bowl-level form quickly to help boost their 25th-ranked passing game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A group of New York Giants fans are using billboards to send a message to team management following the decision to bench quarterback Eli Manning.The three electronic billboards, which read "Big Blue Shame on You," are located near MetLife Stadium on the New Jersey Turnpike, I-80 in Elmwood Park, and Route 46 in Totowa, according to Hannah Withiam of the New York Post. They first appeared Wednesday.